Learn from archaeologists and work with a group to uncover ancient civilisations and history in Peru

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Do archaeology volunteer work as a teenager in Peru, and travel back through time to ancient South America. You’ll work at excavation sites in two national parks, and learn directly from experienced archaeologists as you dig up artefacts from the ancient Incan and Wari civilisations. This is a great way to get hands-on with history and add a unique experience to your CV!

We have an official partnership with the Peruvian Ministry of Culture to uncover and protect ancient Incan and Wari structures and artefacts. With your help, we can protect their cultural heritage for future generations.

You’ll live and work with other teenagers in the city of Cusco, and stay with a local host family. When you’re not working, our staff will organise fun cultural activities and an exciting weekend trip to Machu Picchu.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Organised weekend tourism trips

Dedicated full-time staff members with you 24 hours a day

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is volunteer archaeology for teenagers in Peru right for me?

Are you a history enthusiast? Do you want to know more about how the ancient Inca people lived? If so, this is the project for you!

This project is also ideal if you want to explore an interest in archaeology, history, or anthropology. The experience you get will add value to your CV, and a professional archaeologist will teach you what you need to know.

This project is available for teenagers in high school. You do not need any experience or qualification to take part. Our staff and archaeological team in Peru will guide you through all your work activities, and will oversee all your weekend activities as well.

What will I do on this project?

In Peru, you’ll join a group your age and take part in various exciting archaeological activities. Your project work can include the following:

Work with professional archaeologists and help with their activities at famous dig sites

Attend presentations to learn more about the ancient Incan Empire

Help preserve and maintain national heritage sites

Take part in community outreach days to give back to the local community

Your work will focus on the following areas:

Work with professional archaeologists and help with their activities at famous dig sites

You will spend a large amount of time working at archaeological sites. You’ll join our archaeological team, and they’ll teach you everything you need to know. You’ll gain experience with activities like:

Mapping

Excavation

Cleaning and maintaining current sites

Exploring areas for new sites

Classifying artefacts

Attend presentations to learn more about the ancient Incan Empire

We also teach you a lot about archaeology outside of excavation sites. Our staff will organise presentations for your group to give you a deeper insight to local history and events. You’ll learn about the famous ancient Inca death cults, the Great Inca Rebellion and more.

Help preserve and maintain national heritage sites

As an Archaeology volunteer, you’ll become part of our efforts to protect and preserve natural heritage sites.

You’ll work at the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, the second most important site of Inca ruins in Peru. Unfortunately, some of the ruins here have been damaged by tourists in the past. You’ll help preserve and maintain these sites, so we can protect the country’s history.

Take part in community outreach days to give back to the local community

Aside from archaeological work, there will also be opportunities to help the local community. We will organise community outreach days in disadvantaged areas. For example, you can paint and renovate a play area at a local school.

Where will I work in Peru?

Cusco

You’ll live in Cusco, the second largest city in Peru, and stay with a local host family.

Today, Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site near the Urubamba Valley in the Andes mountain range. The city is filled with beautiful architecture from many centuries of civilisation. You should definitely try local Peruvian dishes like ceviche (Peru’s national dish), rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers), or lomo saltado (stir fried beef).

Most of your project work will take place outside of Cusco. We work in two national parks, Pikillaqta National Park and Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park.

Over the weekend, our staff will take you and the other teenagers in your group to visit other ancient wonders. These include Ollantaytambo, where the Inca fought their last battle with the Conquistadors, and Machu Picchu.

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Peru Arrival Procedures page.

What are the aims and impact of the Archaeology Project for teenagers?

The main aim of this project is to advance research into the ancient civilisations of South America. We work with experienced archaeologists to do this, and we have an official partnership with the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. This partnership allows us to uncover and protect ancient Incan and Wari structures and artefacts.

This kind of research is critical. By having a deeper understanding of the past, we can see how it has shaped our present. This is also a way to protect history and cultural heritage.

We rely on volunteers like you to help us do this. Travelling to Peru is also a way for you to gain experience and do something different and unique. It is especially valuable if you want to study history, anthropology, or archaeology at university. You’ll learn from professional archaeologists and do hands-on work at some of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

Join us in Peru and work with other teenagers to continue to uncover the past, and explore your passion for archaeology and history.

Measuring Our Impact

Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll stay with a host family in Cusco. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Peru and have a truly unique experience.

On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same sex and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Peru

Irazema Arizabal

Country Director

Irazema became part of the Peru team in January 2003. She was born and raised in Cusco and studied Business Administration at the National University of Cusco. She previously worked as a pre-school teacher and later an analyst credit investigator for various financial companies. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies and travelling, as well as meeting and interacting with new people.

Meet the team in Peru

Santiago Paiva

Assistant Manager

Santiago is a tourism student from Cusco. He enjoys interacting with the volunteers, showing them around the city and sharing his culture. Santiago loves sport, especially football, and plays whenever he gets the chance.

Meet the team in Peru

Yessika Espinoza

Care Supervisor

Yessika joined Projects Abroad in December 2006 after previously working for an NGO and a bank. She enjoys being able to work with young children as part of her job. In her free time she likes spending time with her family in Cuzco and socialising with the volunteers.

Meet the team in Peru

Daniel O'Shea

Inca Project Supervisor

Daniel was a volunteer on the Inca Project for three months from May 2007 before returning in September to join the staff team as our supervisor for the Inca Project. He works with the volunteers on each of the different areas of the project, from community work to excavations and expeditions.

Meet the team in Peru

Jessica Marroquín Pasache

Teaching Supervisor

Jessica was born in Arequipa. She has a degree in business administration and finished her masters in project investment. She has more than 14 years’ experience teaching English in different language schools, working with teenagers and children in both Cusco and Lima. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling with her family, meeting new people and exploring places she has never been before.

Meet the team in Peru

Stuart Timson

Director

Stuart is from Cheltenham, England, but has been living and working in Peru since 1998. He studied Biology at Oxford University before getting involved with conservation in the field. After spending several years guiding for eco-lodges in both Peru and Bolivia he set up the Taricaya Lodge on the Madre de Dios river from scratch in 2001. In his spare time Stuart can turn his hand to most sports.

Meet the team in Peru

Jhon Valencia

Archaeologist

Jhon was born in Huacarpay, a town close to Cusco. He is an archeologist and has worked at many sites in and around the city. Jhon has been with Projects Abroad for over 10 years, and accompanies and assists volunteers during their project. He enjoys exploring Peru, sharing the country’s history and explaining his culture to people.

Meet the team in Peru

Fernando Rosemberg

Project Manager

An ex-gold miner now dedicated to conservation, Fernando administers the day-to-day running of the lodge. He is the longest serving staff member there from the start with Stuart. His English is excellent and his 20 years of experience in the jungle gives him great all round knowledge. His family in Puerto Maldonado runs a small hotel where volunteers usually spend the weekend.

Meet the team in Peru

Delsi Espinoza Masias

Assistant Archaeologist

Delsi is an archeologist and has worked at many investigations, including monitoring different archeological sites around Cusco, where she was born. She also worked as an archeologist for the Municipality of Cusco. In her free time she enjoys travelling, getting to know new places, hiking and dancing.

Meet the team in Peru

Jenny Mendoza La Madrid

Peru Office Assistant

Jenny was born in Lima and moved to Cusco to join Projects Abroad in January 2017. She has studied and worked in Peru, Switzerland and the USA. Jenny is passionate about social work and communication; because of this, she has volunteered in various institutions to support developing communities. Jenny loves spending time at the beach, eating Pachamanca (a traditional Andean dish) and listening to 80s music.

Meet the team in Peru

Rachel Kilby

Lodge Administrator

Rachel has been working with Projects Abroad for 8 years and as a trained biologist she has specialised in the field of ornithology. A qualified bird bander Rachel is out in the field a lot collecting data whilst helping with the daily running of the project.

Meet the team in Peru

Elvira Rosemberg

Volunteer Advisor

Elvira joined the Projects Abroad team in January 2010. She is originally from Lima, but has been living in Puerto Maldonado for many years now. She knows Taricaya and the local town very well and is happy to assist volunteers on their trips into town. Elvira will be in touch with all Peru Conservation Project volunteers before they arrive and she also meets the volunteers at the Puerto Maldonado airport.

Meet the team in Peru

Claudia Arendse

Volunteer Advisor

Claudia joined Projects Abroad in October 2013. She was born and raised in Cape Town, where she graduated at Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a National Diploma in Tourism Management. She is passionate about working with and meeting different people from different cultures. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, travelling domestically and exploring new places.

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